Voices of Our Community
Guest Story: Lilli
Fleeing traumatic and abusive events in her home town, Lilli came to New York from Europe one year ago. Having no connections in the city and no money, she soon ended up living on the streets in Greenwich Village. “I spoke English, but I was very afraid,” she said. “I...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Robert Austin Cho, Kimchi Smoke
Biography: Robert Austin Cho, Chef/Owner of Kimchi Smoke Born in Seoul, Korea but grew up in New Jersey during a time when it wasn't so easy to deal with two cultures. "My parents took Korean food and (smelly) KIMCHI to the park, to the beach." This made Robert very...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Dominick Pepe, The Group
Biography: Dominick Pepe, Corporate Executive Chef: The Group As Executive Chef of Dominique Bistro and Olio e Piu, Chef Dominick Pepe is in charge of recipe development, inspired by the timeless traditions of Parisian culture and cuisine. He also serves as Corporate...
Farm to Tray Stories: ZIO Ristorante
Biography: Darren Berman & Roberto Manfé, Restaurateurs, ZIO Ristorante Entrepreneur Darren Berman and Roberto Manfe unite their experiences in the hospitality business bringing their passion for great company and great food to Zio. In May 2011 Darren and Roberto...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Ralpheal Abrahante, Thalassa
Biography: Ralpheal Abrahante, Executive Chef, Thalassa Chef Ralpheal Abrahante is a passionate advocate of Contemporary Mediterranean seafood Cuisine. Since 2002 he has consistently infused Mediterranean fare with his personal signature: a love of seasonal...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Craig Reid, Westin New York Times Square
Biography: Chef Craig Reid, Executive Chef, Westin New York Times Square Chef Craig lives with his family in Merrick, on the South Shore of Long Island. His passion for food began at the age of 7 when he and his father on Saturday mornings would watch cooking shows on...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Caroline Schiff, ParadigmSchiff
Biography: Caroline Schiff Owner/ Executive Chef: ParadigmSchiff A native New Yorker, Chef Caroline Schiff’s love for baking and pastries started early, when she was just a little girl making birthday cakes for her friends and family. Over the years, she never missed...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Laurence Edelman, Left Bank
Biography: LAURENCE EDELMAN, Executive Chef/Owner, Left Bank Laurence grew up in South Orange, New Jersey. Laurence began cooking as a child, at the knee of his father, emulsifying olive oil into egg yolks. He had an inborn interest in food, and was encouraged to...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Preston Madson, Bellwether
Biography: Preston Madson, Executive Chef/Co-Owner, Bellwether Chef Preston Madson grew up in Southeast Georgia. Surrounded by Southern classics and locally grown ingredients, he developed an early appreciation for food and learned at a young age to cook based on the...
Farm to Tray Stories: Chef Yvan Lemoine
Biography: Yvan David Lemoine, Executive Chef, Gitano NYC Yvan Lemoine is the Executive Chef at Gitano NYC. Prior to Gitano, Yvan was the Executive chef at Union Fare. Before that, he worked with Tao Group for 8 years opening Lavo, Arlington club, and Surf...
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